Home Master replacement filters are sold at perfectwatertech.com (Home Master's parent brand), Amazon (Home Master Water Filters storefront), and select home improvement retailers. Home Master sells filters individually and as annual maintenance kits that bundle all stages at a discount. The annual kit is the most convenient option and typically saves $15-$25 versus purchasing stages individually.
TMAFC-ERP filter replacement schedule
| Stage | Filter type | Home Master part number | Interval | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stages 1-3 pre-filter set | PP sediment + dual carbon block | TMAFC-PRE-KIT | 6-12 months | $40-$55 |
| Stage 4 membrane | 75 GPD TFC membrane | TMAFC-RO or HM-TFC-75 | 24-36 months | $40-$60 |
| Stage 5 Full Contact 1 | Calcite/aragonite mineral | FC-1 or TMAFC-MIN1 | 12 months | $25-$35 |
| Stage 6 post-filter | GAC carbon polish | TMAFC-POST or HM-GAC | 12 months | $15-$20 |
| Stage 7 Full Contact 2 | Calcite/carbon blend | FC-2 or TMAFC-MIN2 | 12 months | $25-$35 |
Annual cost estimate (TMAFC-ERP): $105-$145 (two Full Contact mineral stages add cost versus single-remineralization competitors; membrane amortized ~$18/yr)
TMHP filter replacement schedule (additional stages)
| Stage | Filter type | Home Master part number | Interval | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 pre-filter (iron/manganese) | Catalytic carbon iron removal | TMHP-IRON or HM-CAT-IRON | 12 months | $30-$45 |
| UV lamp | 11W germicidal UV lamp | TMHP-UV-LAMP or HM-UV11 | 12 months | $45-$60 |
Annual cost estimate (TMHP): $150-$200 (all TMAFC-ERP stages + iron pre-filter + UV lamp)
How to replace Home Master filters
- Shut off the cold supply valve. Open the dedicated faucet to relieve system pressure -- run until flow stops completely.
- Use the included filter housing wrench to unscrew housings counterclockwise (counter-intuitive: left-hand thread on some Home Master housings -- check the direction arrow molded into the housing body).
- Remove spent cartridges. Rinse housing interiors with clean water -- no soap. Dry with a clean cloth.
- Before inserting new cartridges, check the housing O-ring seal: should be flexible and seated in the groove without cracks or flat spots. Replace O-rings if any degradation is visible ($2-$3 at hardware stores -- standard 15/16" x 1-3/16" O-rings).
- Apply a thin film of food-grade silicone grease to the O-ring before seating the new cartridge and closing the housing. This prevents dry O-ring distortion during tightening.
- Hand-tighten housings, then a quarter-turn snug with the filter wrench. Do not over-torque.
- Restore supply pressure. Check all housing joints for drips. Open the dedicated faucet and run for 2 minutes before resuming normal use.
ERP permeate pump -- maintenance
The ERP permeate pump is maintenance-free -- it has no moving parts in the conventional sense (pressure exchange through a sliding piston) and requires no service or replacement under normal operation. If system production rate drops unexpectedly and supply pressure is confirmed adequate, inspect the ERP module's tubing connections before assuming a membrane problem. The most common ERP issue is a disconnected or kinked concentrate tubing line, which cuts pressure to the pump and reduces efficiency.
UV lamp replacement -- TMHP only
The UV lamp on the TMHP replaces every 12 months regardless of actual usage hours. UV lamp output (germicidal dose) degrades linearly with time whether the lamp is energized or not. A lamp that is 12 months old and has been running only 2 hours per day still needs replacement at the 12-month mark because the lamp's rated output curve is time-based, not usage-based. Replacement procedure: shut off power to the UV module (unplug the power adapter), wait 5 minutes for the lamp to cool, unscrew the lamp quartz sleeve end cap, slide the old lamp out, insert the new lamp carefully (never touch the quartz sleeve with bare hands -- skin oils create hot spots that crack quartz under UV heat), replace the end cap, restore power. Confirm green LED on module housing before returning the system to service.